Chowan University (NC) President Christopher White (far left, front row) and students took a 12-day study tour of the Middle East. Students traveled through Nazareth, Galilee, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the regions surrounding the Dead Sea and Jordan River, and areas within Egypt.

International Activities

Robert Morris University’s (PA) Center for Documentary Production and Study hosted students and faculty members from two foreign universities—the University of Applied Sciences in Dortmund, Germany and the University of Bahcesehir in Istanbul, Turkey—as part of an international documentary exchange program. The foreign students and faculty members will film short documentaries related to the Pittsburgh area, meet local filmmakers, and explore Americans’ perspectives of Germany and Turkey. Benedictine University (IL) hosted 22 students from 16 Arab countries and territories, including Libya, Iraq, Algeria, and the West Bank. The students participated in a six-week program titled “The Challenges of Democracy in a Diverse Society,” aimed at leadership and public service training. The leadership program is one of five such programs at American colleges and universities funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).

Dominican University (IL) students monitored recent municipal elections in El Salvador, working in partnership with the Center for Solidarity and Exchange. The Center is a multifaceted development organization located in El Salvador, which aims to promote democracy and social justice through election monitoring, local and international partnerships, and community involvement. On behalf of the Center, Dominican students met with local political candidates, attended candidate debates, and surveyed voting conditions. The students ultimately filed an official report on their observations to the Legislative Assembly in El Salvador, noting some discrepancies in democratic election processes such as privacy violations, bribery, and death threats. 

George Fox University (OR) is helping the economic development of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. George Fox seminary student Tom Durant is creating a two-phased plan to reforest and cultivate nearly 60 acres of food crops in the city of Ranquitte, which will both feed the local community and provide jobs and a marketable cash crop. Durant is implementing the plan with the help of Christian Flights International, a missionary organization located in Kentucky.

Biblical Discovery

Chapman University (CA) Professor Marvin Meyer, an expert in Coptic (the language of second-century Christians living in Egypt), was part of an international team of scholars that recently authenticated and translated a legendary historical text—the Gospel of Judas. The Gospel presents a new view of Judas Iscariot as Jesus’ most favored disciple (and not his betrayer), and offers important insight into the history of early Christians and the diversity of early Christian belief. Discovered in an Egyptian cave in the 1970s and passed through multiple antiquities exchanges in the following decades, the Gospel eventually was acquired by the National Geographic Society. The Society’s team of international scholars analyzed and presented the Gospel to the world this year through the release of several items: a special cover story on the project in National Geographic Magazine, a mass-audience hardcover translation of the Gospel, a two-hour TV special on the Gospel filmed in Egypt (which included on-site interviews with Meyers), and a comprehensive website (www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/gospel) complete with photographs, translations, and the history of the Gospel.

Genetic Research

A Calvin College (MI) student has made a significant contribution to genetic research by discovering an important unknown property of DNA. Mark Vander Wal discovered that the forces holding together two strands of hybridized DNA (two pieces of DNA combined together in a lab) are determined by the force used to push the two DNA strands together. This mysterious phenomenon, previously unexplained by scientists, will help advance the study of hybridized DNA, which is fundamental in understanding gene expression and human evolution.

King’s College (PA) announced a new Genomics Center, a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to analyzing data and resources from the Human Genome Project, a national effort that has identified all the genes in human DNA. The Project produced an enormous amount of data requiring analysis by the biological and medical sciences—analysis that can lead to advances and cures for numerous diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The King’s College facility, scheduled to open in fall 2007, boasts cutting-edge DNA equipment and software, and top-quality labs and classrooms.

Benedictine University (IL) will play a leading role in genetic research through the recent purchase of a DNA sequencer, a crucial piece of genetic research equipment. The 4300 DNA Analysis System will enable Benedictine students and faculty members to conduct the latest biomedical research and investigate the structural information of DNA such as the arrangement of nucleotides (the fundamental DNA building blocks).

Lourdes College (OH) community members gathered to enjoy the recently renovated Appold Planetarium. The planetarium features SciDome technology that allows the latest in 3D sky simulation and full-dome space shows.

Celebrating Achievements

Randolph-Macon College (VA) political science professor Lauren Cohen Bell was one of four individuals selected as a 2006-2007 Supreme Court Fellow by the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Fellow position is a national honor, providing an individual with a one-year appointment to work at the Supreme Court, Federal Judicial Center, and in other areas of the federal judiciary branch.

Professors from two CIC institutions—Rockford College (IL) and Lourdes College (OH)—were among nine individuals selected as Senior Scholars by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The Institute—a prominent national organization that supports the study of American history through various programs, fellowships, and initiatives—selected Catherine Forslund (Rockford) and Mary Stockwell (Lourdes) out of 86 total applicants. The Senior Scholars fellowship allows Forslund and Stockwell to conduct historical research in five New York City archives.

Environmental Leadership

Numerous CIC institutions—Berea College (KY), Connecticut College, Green Mountain College (VT), Oberlin College (OH), Ouachita Baptist University (AR), Rollins College (FL), Susquehanna University (PA), and Wartburg College (IA), among many other institutions—are leading the campus environmental movement through participation in Campus Climate Challenge, a national partnership aimed at addressing pollution and global warming. The project involves 264 campuses and 30 leading environmental and social justice organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada, all working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their campuses and in the community by purchasing energy from clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar power. Information on the project, as well as a list of the partners and institutions involved, is available at http://campusclimatechallenge.org.

Warren Wilson College (NC) has converted to 100 percent “green” power. The conversion, which went into effect July 1, is the result of a partnership with Sterling Planet, an Atlanta-based green power credit provider specializing in brokering green power purchases between corporations and educational institutions, and utilities and energy companies. Through the partnership, Warren Wilson will use renewable energy credits (RECs) purchased from Sterling Planet to offset 100 percent of the college’s fossil fuel power—essentially, Warren Wilson agrees to compensate power companies financially for the higher costs of producing renewable energy and therefore allows a block of green power to be generated and placed on the national electricity grid. The green power commitment saves energy—the equivalent to 2,404 car trips between Los Angeles and New York City.

Creating Partnerships

Xavier University (OH) has partnered with regional Ohio and northern Kentucky leaders—elected officials, education officials, business and nonprofit executives, and civic leaders—to form Strive (www.strivetogether.org), a community-wide effort to increase educational success. Strive identifies key priorities, initiatives, and strategies for helping individuals in the region achieve educational success from birth through college and career, then provides funding and action plans for achieving this goal.

Charleston Southern University (SC) has partnered with American LaFrance, a prominent emergency vehicles manufacturer, to designate an unused portion of its campus as LaFrance’s new international corporate headquarters. The 57,500-square-foot headquarters will be located on approximately eight acres of highly visible campus property, and includes a 420,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly plant located on an additional 35 acres of campus property. The partnership creates a mutually beneficial financial relationship between LaFrance and the university through a 75-year land lease agreement, and will provide the Charleston Southern community with the opportunity for scholarships, internships, and job opportunities at LaFrance.

Announcing New Programs

Numerous CIC institutions have expanded their academic offerings with new degree programs. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (IN) announced a new master of arts in leadership development; Judson College (IL) will launch a new master of arts in organizational leadership; Utica College (NY) has created a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration, and two certificates of advanced study in the areas of school building leader and school district leader; Notre Dame College (OH) will offer a new bachelor of science in nursing program for registered nurses; and William Woods University (MO) has launched a new bachelor of social work degree program offered during evening hours for adult or working students.

New majors also have been announced. Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH) is preparing to launch an international business major; Salem College (NC) has announced majors in not-for-profit management and creative writing; Milligan College (TN) has created a major in child and youth development; Newberry College (SC) has announced a new major in nursing; Saint Mary’s College (IN) created a new major in Italian; and LaGrange College (GA) has created a new sociology and anthropology department, which offers a new major and minor in sociology and, eventually, a minor in anthropology.

University of Puget Sound’s (WA) Civic Scholarship Initiative—a two-year pilot project aimed at engaging university faculty members, students, and resources to solve community problems—has entered its second year. The initiative was started by President Ronald Thomas as part of a new civic engagement focus at Puget Sound that calls for “academics to leave their ivory towers and assume leadership roles in the community.” The initiative functions through Puget Sound faculty members and students partnering with local community groups to tackle local issues. The university assists in project implementation and offers administrative support to all those involved. To date, the initiative has implemented projects on local ecosystem depletion and chronic homelessness.

North Central College (IL) student entrepreneur Grant Law has launched Nobesity Vending, a vending machine business specializing in healthy snacks. Law’s clients include North Central and several local organizations. His new venture coincides with legislation introduced this year in Congress to improve nutritional standards for snack foods. Photo copyright: Chuck Savage Photography.

Campaign Success

Two CIC institutions successfully reached the financial goals of their comprehensive campaigns. University of Indianapolis (IN) completed Scholars, Partners, Friends, its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign. The campaign raised $75.7 million—50 percent higher than the original $50 million goal—to be used for two new scholarly centers, the university endowment, strategic opportunities, campus renovation, and the annual fund. Limestone College (SC) completed The Campaign for Limestone Tomorrow, the largest fundraising campaign in the College’s 160-year history. The campaign surpassed its goal by raising $11.9 million, which provided funds for the endowment, scholarships, and renovation of historic campus structures.

Announcing Gifts and Grants

Numerous CIC institutions—Agnes Scott College (GA), The College of Wooster (OH), Moravian College (PA), Wabash College (IN), Hampshire College (MA), University of Richmond (VA), Drew University (NJ), and Pace University (NY)—will share with other institutions approximately $3.2 million in grants from the Teagle Foundation to promote and strengthen liberal arts education. These institutions were among 21 institutions althogether that received grants from Teagle, awarded in the categories of “Outcomes and Assessment,” “Fresh Thinking,” and “College-Community Connections.”

Two institutions have announced record-breaking gifts—the largest in their respective histories. Eckerd College (FL) received a $25 million gift from the college’s board chair Miles Collier, and his wife, Parker Collier. It will be used to advance Eckerd’s strategic plan priorities: the sciences, the arts, student life, and the college’s endowment. College of Saint Benedict (MN) received a $3.5 million gift from Ben and Dorothy Gorecki. It will be used to build a 51,000-square-foot state-of-the-art dining and conference center.

Several other CIC institutions have received substantial gifts for campus facilities. Mars Hill College (NC) received the largest athletic donation in its history—a $1.6 million gift from Justus and Jo Ellen Ammons to create a new football center, which will include refurbished grandstands, an all-weather turf field, an entry plaza, and a press box. Augsburg College (MN) received a $4 million gift from alumni Donald and Beverly Oren to help build the Gateway Building, a multipurpose administrative, commercial, and residential center. Palm Beach Atlantic University (FL) received a $2.2 million gift from the late Lemuel Boulware, a retired General Electric executive, to help support a new college library. Rivier College (NH) received a $2 million gift from trustee William Conway and his family to expand the current college library. And Berry College (GA) received a $2 million gift from an anonymous donor to help support a new athletic and recreation center.

Two CIC institutions have received grants to undertake important projects. Loras College (IA) received a $366,000 grant from the Verizon Corporation as part of Verizon’s national literacy program, “Verizon Reads.” The grant will be used for the college’s new Loras for Literacy program, which uses several activities and initiatives—such as a summer literacy camp, teacher institute, curriculum evaluation, and literacy assessments—to promote literacy among local children. Drury University (MO) received a $138,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to advance behavioral science programs at Drury. The programs will include classes in scientific writing, research methodologies, statistical analysis, behavioral ethics, and a 32-week capstone research application.

Lynchburg College (VA) opened Centennial Hall, a $12.5 million, 68,000-square-foot technology-based building that features a television and recording studio, stock trading room, 250-seat performance hall, and the Modern Language Resource Center.

Building New Facilities

Hendrix College (AR) has announced plans to build The Village at Hendrix, a 100-acre residential and retail community located across the street from the college campus. The Village will consist of compact, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods featuring high-quality residential buildings, retail/office space, a charter school, and commercial offerings such as a corner grocery store, coffeehouse, bookstore, ice cream shop, and a hotel. The Village will be built in five phases over the next 10 years. The first phase, to break ground in spring 2007, will include 68 single-family detached homes, 23 townhouses and live/work homes, 75 apartments, and 70,000 square feet of retail/office space. Illustrations and information on The Village are available at www.hendrix.edu/Village/village.aspx.

Kansas City Art Institute (MO) has completed the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge Painting Building, a $7 million, 34,000-square-foot building to be used for painting instruction. The building houses new studios, classrooms, faculty offices, a technology room, and a gallery where student work can be exhibited. The facility itself is a work of art, consisting of multiple materials—brick, zinc, copper, multi-tempered glass, aluminum, steel, and wood accents—and a nearby light-emitting diode (LED) walkway, which displays a symphony of color as passersby approach the building.

And Aurora University (IL) opened the Institute for Collaboration, a $14 million facility to support the development and assessment of partnerships among schools, health and human service agencies, and government, business, and higher education institutions at local, state, and national levels. The facility includes college classrooms, computer laboratories, offices, and the 500-seat Crimi Auditorium, and houses the College of Education, Communities in Schools (a nonprofit community educational organization), and a School District 129 Partnership Elementary School, a nationally recognized model for educational reform.